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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
aloud
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
bed
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From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
broom
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From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
cold
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From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
counter
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
crept
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
crossing
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From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
door
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
door-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
down
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
easier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
especially
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From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
example
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From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
finished
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
followed
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From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
Friend
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From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
given
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From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
granted
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From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
grew
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From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
hide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
hungry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
imposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
instructed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
kneel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
kneeling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
NOdeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
noiselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
OLIVER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
Oliver's
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From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
PIPE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
smoked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
starved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
suspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
Tony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
whispered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.